Hatfield recap: St. Maria Goretti recognized for 60th anniversary

Pastor Andrew Brownholtz of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Hatfield, third from left, holds a ceremonial resolution from Hatfield's township commissioners recognizing the church's 60th anniversary. At left is commissioners President Tom Zipfel and standing are other parish members and officials. Thursday, October 9, 2013. Photo by Dan Sokil

HATFIELD TWP — A Hatfield church and its members have been recognized for six decades of service to the community.

On Oct. 9, the township commissioners presented a ceremonial resolution to St. Maria Goretti Parish recognizing, in the words of commissioners President Tom Zipfel, “all of the good works and deeds that they’ve done” over the past six decades.

St. Maria Goretti Parish was founded by then-Archbishop of Philadelphia John Cardinal O’Hara in 1953, Zipfel read from the ceremonial resolution, and celebrated its first mass at the Hatfield Fire Hall prior to a groundbreaking in Dec. 1953 for a combined church and school building.

“Over time the Church has expanded with the addition of a social hall and gymnasium, and a new church in 1994 after 34 years in the temporary church,” Zipfel said.

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Church Pastor Andrew Brownholtz accepted the resolution on behalf of the church, and thanked the commissioners on behalf of several members of its Parish Council as the group posed for photos.

“As church officials and church members, we have an obligation to continue to bring forth the best in all we do. Thank you for recognizing our parish, and all of the other churches that do the good work right here in our back yard,” Brownholtz said.

Hatfield’s board unanimously approved that ceremonial resolution. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.HatfieldTownship.org or follow @HatfieldPA on Twitter.

Follow staff writer Dan Sokil on Twitter @DanSokil.

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